Studies Show Joint Child Custody Leads to Better-Adjusted Children
On behalf of The Siemon Law Firm posted in Fathers' Rights on Monday, August 23, 2010
With the Bristol Palin/Levi Johnston child custody agreement freshly in the news, child advocates and fathers' rights groups have taken the opportunity to discuss the impact of shared parenting arrangements on children. A recent article from eMaxHealth, an independent health news organization, discussed some of the science about the topic.
Palin and Johnston's child custody agreement specifies that Bristol Palin will have primary physical custody, while Johnston will have twice-weekly visitation with their son Tripp. The pair will share joint legal custody. Fathers' rights groups have praised Palin for proactively seeking an arrangement that will keep her former fiancée deeply involved in their son's life despite the end of the couple's relationship.
According to several psychological and sociological studies, that decision will likely have a long-term positive impact on Tripp. Citing these and similar studies, fathers' rights groups have recently initiated a nationwide effort to require courts to start divorce and paternity cases with the assumption that joint custody will be awarded unless there is a specific reason not to award it.
Consistent, Long-Term Contact With Both Parents Is Generally Positive
http://www.fultoncountydivorcelawblog.com/2010/08/studies-show-joint-child-custody-leads-to-better-adjusted-children.shtml
Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
NH DCYF Think Nothing Of Separating Sibling's
It has just come to my attention that my grandson Austin and his sister Ally have been kept from each other by the insensitive, in-compassionate Nashua, NH DCYF. It's bad enough Austin has been kept from us, his Grandparent's, but to keep him from his little sister is torture. They were alway's close. How inhumane can anyone be? It was bad enough they were separated by DCYF to begin with, but not allowing contact between them has to be severely traumatizing to them both. Ally cry's at night for her brother, with a picture of him she sleeps with. What does Austin have? Probably nothing! I'm sure the separation is taking it's toll on Austin also. No matter how many drug's his adoptive stranger's feed him, he'll never forget his little sister. They were alway's there for each other.
Austin and Ally aren't the only NH children separated by NH DCYF. There are many more. The separation start's in foster care, placing one child in one home and the other sibling's in another. Will DCYF ever get it right? Will they ever think of the children they are torturing or will it alway's just be about the money these stolen children bring in? I can't wait to see the day when their world fall's apart. The sooner the better!
Foster ghouls' $$ for dead kids
Foster ghouls' $$ for dead kids
NY uncovers 200G adoption scam
By BRENDAN SCOTT Post Correspondent
Last Updated: 11:16 AM, August 19, 2010
Posted: 3:49 AM, August 19, 2010
EXCLUSIVE
ALBANY -- Scamming parents of disabled foster kids pocketed more than $200,000 in taxpayer aid -- even though their children had long since died, The Post has learned.
The ghoulish windfall claimed by the parents of two dozen dead kids was uncovered during an audit by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli into the state's $494 million-a-year adoption-subsidy program.
All told, auditors found $214,593 in questionable payments to parents caring for 25 "hard to place" kids, including 24 whose identities matched death records.
A vast majority of the cases, 21, were in New York City.
The report, which was delivered yesterday to the state Office of Children and Family Services, was obtained by The Post.
"Taking care of children -- especially orphaned and disabled children -- should be at the top of everyone's agenda," DiNapoli said. "But taxpayers shouldn't be paying for the care of children who have passed away."
"There's too little money and too many needy children," he continued. "We can't let taxpayer dollars be wasted."
One family collected payments until December 2007 -- for a windfall of $32,550 -- even though their adopted child had died in March 2006, the audit found.
Another family had a child who died in January 2006, but the state continued to pay $24,809 in subsidies.
Auditors also found a household that received $33,360 due to an error that listed an adopted child's year of birth as 1994 instead of 1984.
The monthly checks should be issued only until the child turns 21.
To qualify for the payments -- which reach as high $1,700 a month depending on the severity of the case -- the children must suffer from some physical or mental disability or be otherwise deemed difficult to adopt.
The results mirrored a similar audit conducted more than a decade ago, but the comptroller said the Office of Children and Family Services had "only recently" begun to act on recommendations.
The agency says it has been working with the state Department of Health to devise a system for cross-referencing its 45,000 adoption cases with death records.
"Many of the initiatives under way to address adoption subsidy-payment concerns started before the audit findings were developed," Kevin Mahar wrote in the agency's response to the comptroller.
The office "is fully committed to verification of adoption subsidy-payment accuracy."
The office said the city's Administration for Children Services and other local agencies that administer the program have stopped payment to most of the cases highlighted in the audit.
Officials are investigating the remaining cases.
brendan.scott@nypost.com
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/foster_ghouls_for_dead_kids_bfYKT5jsadJmXztfJtgEaK#ixzz0xYEhAfuw
NY uncovers 200G adoption scam
By BRENDAN SCOTT Post Correspondent
Last Updated: 11:16 AM, August 19, 2010
Posted: 3:49 AM, August 19, 2010
EXCLUSIVE
ALBANY -- Scamming parents of disabled foster kids pocketed more than $200,000 in taxpayer aid -- even though their children had long since died, The Post has learned.
The ghoulish windfall claimed by the parents of two dozen dead kids was uncovered during an audit by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli into the state's $494 million-a-year adoption-subsidy program.
All told, auditors found $214,593 in questionable payments to parents caring for 25 "hard to place" kids, including 24 whose identities matched death records.
A vast majority of the cases, 21, were in New York City.
The report, which was delivered yesterday to the state Office of Children and Family Services, was obtained by The Post.
"Taking care of children -- especially orphaned and disabled children -- should be at the top of everyone's agenda," DiNapoli said. "But taxpayers shouldn't be paying for the care of children who have passed away."
"There's too little money and too many needy children," he continued. "We can't let taxpayer dollars be wasted."
One family collected payments until December 2007 -- for a windfall of $32,550 -- even though their adopted child had died in March 2006, the audit found.
Another family had a child who died in January 2006, but the state continued to pay $24,809 in subsidies.
Auditors also found a household that received $33,360 due to an error that listed an adopted child's year of birth as 1994 instead of 1984.
The monthly checks should be issued only until the child turns 21.
To qualify for the payments -- which reach as high $1,700 a month depending on the severity of the case -- the children must suffer from some physical or mental disability or be otherwise deemed difficult to adopt.
The results mirrored a similar audit conducted more than a decade ago, but the comptroller said the Office of Children and Family Services had "only recently" begun to act on recommendations.
The agency says it has been working with the state Department of Health to devise a system for cross-referencing its 45,000 adoption cases with death records.
"Many of the initiatives under way to address adoption subsidy-payment concerns started before the audit findings were developed," Kevin Mahar wrote in the agency's response to the comptroller.
The office "is fully committed to verification of adoption subsidy-payment accuracy."
The office said the city's Administration for Children Services and other local agencies that administer the program have stopped payment to most of the cases highlighted in the audit.
Officials are investigating the remaining cases.
brendan.scott@nypost.com
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/foster_ghouls_for_dead_kids_bfYKT5jsadJmXztfJtgEaK#ixzz0xYEhAfuw
Standing To Be Heard Get Your Story Out There For Free
Standing To Be Heard http://nfpcar.org/eBook/Free.htm
Get Your Story Out There For Free
Writing Your Letter ~ Publish or Share Your Story ~Giant email Links ~ Create an Anonymous eMail ~ Contact Your Legislator
Why Go Public? Warn others! There are many good ways to have your story available on the internet to warn others and refer them to website areas you think may help them. It is a good idea to use initials for the kids’ names so there’s no getting into trouble with the Privacy Act or technically: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Website Links to publicize your story for free.
Writing Your Letter
Dr. Randall Hansen's Guide to Writing Successful Media Releases>> Link: http://www.randallshansen.com/prguide.html
This site is all about providing the resources to help you write and strategically place better media/press releases. While this site is designed to help you write better media/press releases for the promotion of new Web sites, the expertise and tools provided here could be effective for any kind of promotional campaign.
Here are some experience-based suggestions that will help you get your letters published.>>Link: http://www.mediaradar.org/how_to_letter.php
Understand what issue you are responding to and be sure that your letter responds to it. Off the wall is off the wall!
Have something to say and think carefully about how you want to say it. This is the hardest part. Ask yourself: "What is it that I really want to say?" Try to make just one or two major points.
Edit your letter. Eliminate unnecessary words and look for ways to say it more powerfully. Editors count words. No matter what you submit, expect them to revise it. Try to pick a catchy title – but they usually will change that, too.
To newspapers, e-mail your letter – with a copy to yourself to keep track of it. Every newspaper will tell you (usually at the end of the letters section) where to send it.
However, to politicians, the most effective way is to write a formal letter. (See Below)
If possible, respond the same day the article/editorial appears. Much later and you will be too late for consideration.
Above all, write from the heart – that is, with passion for the issue – but keep the tone of your letter factual and reasonable.
Expect lots of rejections. But, remember that newspapers always are looking for good letters to choose from.
Most newspapers have a section from the Letters Editor telling you what they want and how they want it. For example, they often require you indicate your name, address, and telephone number. Read and follow!
Finally, read some of the letters that your chosen newspaper already has printed to get a feel for what they are willing to print.
GOOD LUCK!!!
· Free Writing & Publishing How-To (the “p” is not in the web address): http://www.suite101.com/writingandublishing
· The following website is to help with writing skills, especially in the area of citizen reporting & journalism. It helps with writing about public policy issues. http://www.helium.com/writers-resources/citizenjournalist?emailloc=km94v
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Giant eMail Links
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Here's your one-stop "megaphone" where you can E-Mail letters to your elected representatives, talk shows, the media, and even write letters to the editor. Tell them what you think!
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Use the selections above to jump to the category you wish (or scroll down), then click on your choice to open an E-Mail editing screen, or in some cases, a link to that company's web site's E-Mail page. You can help by sending us any e-mail addresses you think we should include plus any corrections or broken links. We would also appreciate receiving copies of the responses to your messages.
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To phone a Senator or Congressman, call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and the operator will connect you to the desired office. The operator can find your correct Congressman from your zip code if you aren't sure. It is more effective to talk to the Legislative Assistant, or "L.A." in Capitol Hill slang, about your issue or concern than to leave your opinion with the receptionist: just ask to speak to "the L.A. who deals with (your subject)". A personal visit to the DC or local state office is the most effective.
The White House Comments Desk can be reached at 202-456-1111. Fax: 202-456-2461
To write a letter, here are the addresses:
The Honorable _______
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Dear Mr. President
The Honorable ______
U.S. Senate
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Dear Senator (Last Name):
The Honorable ______
U.S. Congress
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr./Mrs. (Last Name):
Please note that postal mail to these offices can take a few weeks to arrive due to security screening. fax, e-mail, call or visit for fast communication.
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Listen, Call, Fax, or send E-Mail to Talk Shows
Send your message to radio and TV talk shows! You can bring important issues to the attention of talk show hosts resulting in thousands or millions of people being informed. Hosts frequently read e-mail on the air. You can expose or praise how Congressmen and Senators vote, or challenge a liberal host's statements. If you send your email to more than one show, none will use it regardless of merit because they wouldn't have an exclusive message--send it to just one, and after a week of no reply, then send it to another. Got a favorite talk show we should list here--let us know!
* All air times are Eastern Time and air Monday-Friday unless noted. Listening formats include Real Audio/Video, Windows Media Player, & MP3. [Get Real Player] [Get WMP] Some shows are repeated at night or on weekends. Just for fun, we list a couple liberal shows!
Talk Show Call-In # Air Time* Fax Listen
Live Web E-Mail
Chuck Baldwin
6 Stations in Pensacola area 850-438-1605 Noon-1 pm 850-944-0577 . Web Site E-Mail
Bob Barr
WGKA 920 AM Atlanta . Sundays 6-8 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Glenn Beck
193 Stations 888-727-BECK 9 am-Noon . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Tammy Bruce
Nationwide 800-449-8255 9 am - Noon M-F, Sat 4-7 pm PT . . Web Site .
Mark Belling
Milwaukee WISN 1130AM . 3-6 pm CT . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Bill Bennett
Nationwide 866-680-6464 6-9 am . . Web Site E-Mail
Jim Bohannon
Nationwide 800-998-JIMBO 10 pm-1 am . . Web Site E-Mail
Herman Cain
7 Stations in GA 888-920-2665 Saturdays 3-6 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Neal Boortz
Atlanta WSB 750AM 404-872-0750 8:30am-noon 404-607-TALK Listen Web Site .
Coast to Coast AM
George Noory/Art Bell/
Ian Punnett
Nationwide See List 1-5 am . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Blanquita Cullum
40 stations 800-510-TALK 2-3 pm 202-408-1087 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Matt Drudge
"Heard in all 50 States" 866-4-DRUDGE Sundays 10 pm-1 am . . Web Site E-Mail
Larry Elder
Nationwide & L.A. KABC 790 AM . 3-7 pm PT 310-838-5222 . Web Site E-Mail
Air America
67 Stations 866-303-2270 . . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Roger Fredinburg
200 Stations 800-449-8255 10pm-1am M-F 541-774-9202 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Tom Gresham "Gun Talk"
92 Stations 800-298-TALK 2-5 pm Sundays . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Sean Hannity
Nationwide 800-941-7326 3-6 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Roger Hedgecock
San Diego KOGO 600 AM 800-600-KOGO 12:20-4 pm 619-285-4395 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Hugh Hewitt
112 Stations 800-520-1234 6-9 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Larry King
CNN . 9-10 pm . . Web Site E-Mail
Don Kroah
WAVA Wash DC/Balto MD 888-293-9282 5-7 pm . . Web Site .
KABC Shows:
Al Rantel
Doug McIntyre
Rob Nelson
Kevin James
790 AM Los Angeles 800-222-KABC (all times PST)
11-11:45 am, 6-9 pm M-F
5-9 am M-F
4-7pm Sundays
1-5 am Tues- Sat . Listen Web Site E -Mail
Rantel
McIntyre
Nelson
James
KFYI Shows:
Bruce Jacobs
Joe Crummey
Terry Gilberg
550 AM Phoenix 602-260-KFYI
5-8 am
4-7 pm
5-7 pm Sunday . Listen Web Site
E-Mail
E-Mail
E-Mail
Henry Kriegel
Bozeman, MT KMMS AM 1450 4-6 pm MT
Mark Levin
Nationwide 877-381-3811 6-8 pm . . Web Site E-Mail
G. Gordon Liddy
Nationwide 800-GG-LIDDY 10 am-1 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Rush Limbaugh
600+ stations 800-282-2882 12-3 pm 212-445-3963 . Web Site
unofficial sites E-Mail
Michael Medved
Nationwide 800-955-1776 3-6 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Dennis Miller
Nationwide 866-509-RANT 10 am - 1 pm . . Website .
Bob Mohan
KFYI 602-258-KFYI 7-9 pm 602- 817-1199 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Chuck Morse
Nashua, NH WSMN 1590 AM 603-883-9900 9-11 am . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Marty Nalitz
Denver KNUS 710 AM 303-696-1971 9 am-1 pm mountain 303-740-9019 . . .
Jill Nicholson
Las Vegas KLAV 866-820-KLAV Thurs 2-4pm 702-796-7433 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Bill O'Reilly
Nationwide 877-9-NO-SPIN Noon-2 pm . . Website E-Mail
Janet Parshall
70 stations 800-343-9282 3-6 pm 703-807-2248 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Steve Peroutka
Annapolis MD WNAV 410-267-7777 Wed 6-7 pm 410-268-5360 Listen Web Site .
Point of View
Nationwide 800-351-1212 2-4 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Jim Quinn
6 Stations in PA, OH, WV 800-507-1047 6-10 am . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Mike Reagan
Nationwide 800-468-MIKE 6-9 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Diane Rehm
188 NPR Stations 800-433-8850 10 am-noon . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Right Side
4 Stations in MS 601-261-0898
Hattiesburg
601-649-0898
Laurel 5:30 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Lee Rodgers
San Francisco KSFO 560 AM 415-808-5600 6-10 am Pacific & 5-7 am Sat/Sun 415-658-5401 Listen Web Site E-mail
Michael Savage
Nationwide 415-808-5600 4-7 pm Pacific 415-658-5401 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Mark Scott
Detroit WXYT 1270 AM 248-356-1270 10 am- noon 248-455-7362 . Web Site E-Mail
Dick Staub
50 stations 800-775-1067 5-8 pm 847-956-5040 . Web Site E-Mail
Talk Back Live
CNN 800-510-5266 3-4 pm 888-310-4FAX Watch
Listen
Chat Web Site E-Mail
Randall Terry
WRKP 96.5 FM
Moundsville, WV 800-777-2785 3-4 pm . . Web Site .
Washington Journal
C-SPAN See List 7-10 am . Watch Web Site E-Mail
Kirby Wilbur
Seattle KVI 570 AM 206-421-5757 5-9 am Pacific 206-516-3196 Listen Web Site E-Mail
Andrew Wilkow
WGY 810 AM Albany NY
WABC 770 AM NY City 800-TALK-WGY
800-848-WABC WGY: 9a-Noon Weekdays
WABC: 10a-1p Sun .. . Web Site E-Mail
WMAL Shows:
Chris Plante
Evening Show
630 AM Wahington, DC 888-630-WMAL
9-11:45 am & Sunday 12-2 pm
8-10 pm . Listen Web Site E-Mail
Plante
Write a Letter to the Editor
Spread the word to readers and key decision makers across the country: Write a letter to the editor on-line! Enter Letter to Editor on the Subject line; and be sure to include your name, home address and daytime telephone number. Keep your letter brief (under 200 words is best) and to-the-point for a better chance of publication. If you send your email to more than one newspaper, none will use it regardless of merit because they wouldn't have an exclusive letter--send it to just one, and after a week of no reply, then send it to another. Letters which respond to a story or commentary in that paper often have the best chance of publication. You can alert readers about important issues, correct liberal media distortions, ask readers to contact their representatives, and even praise or expose a Congressman's or Senator's vote on an issue in their home state paper! Please send us the e-mail addresses for the letters-to-the-editor department of your local daily and weekly papers.
Hold reporters and editors to high ethical standards--write or e-mail them with your comments, complaints, praise, or reports of liberal bias. Here's Gannet's ethical rules as a sample.
Related Link of Major Media and Comments on Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting: FAIR's Media Contact List
Link to Newspapers of the World>>http://www.newslink.org/
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MI Detroit News .
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NV Las Vegas Review-Journal .
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Vancouver Columbian Letter Tips Web Forum .
WI Eau Claire Ledger-Telegram Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Link)
WV Charleston Daily Mail .
WY Casper Star-Tribune .
TV Networks, News Shows, and Entertainment Companies
Give these TV & radio networks and entertainment companies your opinion about their reporting, programs, and sponsors--pro or con. Concerned citizens can make a difference. Include your street address and a request for a reply if you wish one. The links to the network e-mail web pages often give you a menu to select particular shows or management offices to which you can write.
ABC (Link for all shows)
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CNN Message Boards Post a message--some are read on air!
CNN Talkback Live
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Drudge Report Here's the place to report breaking news.
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Where You Can Publish or Share Your Story
Read other stories by parents & their experiences with CPS. Write your story, as well, to help warn others and refer them to our eReference Books, the Group or other place you may think they can gain help. This is a hot spot where citizens warn each other of all sorts of financial, employment, and other rip-offs. It is taking the place of the Better Business Bureau. Do not use real names or use initials. http://www.ripoffreport.com
If you are able to make a video clip and upload it, then YouTube is good as it is highly-visible hot spot and popular. Media persons peruse YouTube video clips and many times include them on their TV newscasts. http://www.YouTube.com
More and more, connections with children placed in the system and their lost foster parents or biological parents are made here. Write your profile with a message to the kids being careful about privacy. You can post your picture in case the kids input your name and come to you My Space website. Posts can be made back and forth. http://www.MySpace.com
The following link is a portal to media contacts for the major newscasters which includes names, addresses, phone numbers and emails: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=111
Send Your Story to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)! Here’s the form on their website… http://www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm
Call this CPS Radio Talk Show & tell your story. This show outlines the destruction of American families and relationships through legislation and the courts. Your host and cohost is Ron Smithand Rockin and Robin Denison. Hosted by: ChildrenNeedBothParents. (724) 444-7444 Call ID: 53118. http://www.talkshoe .com/tc/53118
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Create an Anonymous eMail
It is a good idea to set up a couple of emails that contain anonymous information for your privacy. These emails can be used when creating blogs or signing up for groups. They are easy to set up if you have already picked out a city and a zip code that goes with it. Make up the street address. It is just an extra step in remaining anonymous while your case is still active. Social workers known as “moles” do monitor some sites for ideas in their cases and hopefully find “You” to see what is going on. Privacy in what you are doing in your case is imperative.
· http://www.mail.com
· http://www.lycos.com
· http://www.yahoomail.com
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Contact Your Legislator
Contact US Senators. You can go to this link and write an email directly to them or better yet write a formal letter. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Write your story to your US Congressman: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Article on: Contacting Your State Legislator For Help
Originally Posted: 16 Sep 2007 12:06 PM CDT
If your CPS social workers are lying, violating court orders, or just being unreasonable, you might get some relief from their tyranny by contacting your state legislator. I’ve done this many times when dealing with unscrupulous agencies, and each time had a pleasant resolution to my situation.
Let’s go back to how I discovered how effective this could be. Back in the 80’s I was a welfare eligibility worker for the Department of Social Services. Occasionally unhappy clients would contact their legislators, and whenever that happened we’d see the supervisor scrambling to get the case file to take it into the program manager’s office. We knew that these people hated to have anyone call their legislators because then the head of the entire Department of Social Services would get a call from Sacramento where our State Department of Social Services is. In other words, a lot of pressure was applied from the top management because they didn’t like getting these calls! What was even more frustrating to the supervisor was that every time there was a call to a legislator, the client got what she wanted.
A few years back a local Department of Social Services caseworker was harassing me after learning about this site. He came out here four or five times with totally facetious or trivial complaints, such as the accusation that I was home schooling - something that is legal in all fifty states. After the last time, I decided to take action before he got the bright idea of detaining my children on the basis of the number of complaints he’d either manufactured or followed up on. What I did was to write a letter to this caseworker detailing each of his visits to my family, telling what his reasons were each time and what my response was. I sent him a copy of the letter, and sent a copy to his Program Manager, my county supervisor, a few legislators, and a few newspapers. Maybe a few other people, but I honestly don’t remember who at this point. There was a list of these people at the bottom of the letter, so he knew who was getting it. The state legislator wrote to me telling me he had contacted the head of the Department of Social Services for California. Talk about applying pressure from the top! Then the pressure no doubt reached the local office and I didn’t hear from the guy again for years.
I’ve done similar things regarding other agencies. My experiences with writing to state legislators for help have all been good, and so I’m telling you about it in case anyone wants to try it. If you do, here’s some pointers.
Write the legislator a formal letter. Handwriting is OK - it looks authentic. Second best is a typed letter. Worst, and probably useless, is email. I’ve heard that legislators in Washington DC have to delete a lot of email unread because they have no way of processing it. I don’t know if a state legislator would do that, but I wouldn’t trust email. In this case, paper is better.
Be sure you use proper spelling and grammar. I know that’s a problem for many people who use this site, but if you know you have a problem then you can ask the local high school English teacher or some other expert for help making the letter look good.
Tell the legislator in the first line that you are his constituent. And by the way, you should be sure you’re writing only to legislators that preside over your section of the state. As a constituent you are a person who can vote or not vote for him next time he runs for office.
Keep it short! One page is sufficient. Three paragraphs, better. When I wrote the letter I mentioned above, I sent the entire three page letter I’d sent to the social worker, but the cover letter to the legislator was only three very short paragraphs. The letter will probably be read by a staff member who doesn’t have a lot of time to wade through many pages of case information. They want to know your specific complaint and needs, and will be able to process it and act on it quickly. It wouldn’t hurt to attach any evidence you may have on hand.
You will probably get a letter back from the legislator’s office telling you whether or not they took action on your complaint. They are there to watch out for their constituents, so in most cases they’ll try to do something to help. They need to know when the laws they make aren’t being followed properly. They can’t change a court order, but if a CPS social worker is violating a court order or in any way breaking social service regulations, they can probably do something to create change. After getting your letter, you might want to write back and thank them for helping.
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Get Your Story Out There For Free
Writing Your Letter ~ Publish or Share Your Story ~Giant email Links ~ Create an Anonymous eMail ~ Contact Your Legislator
Why Go Public? Warn others! There are many good ways to have your story available on the internet to warn others and refer them to website areas you think may help them. It is a good idea to use initials for the kids’ names so there’s no getting into trouble with the Privacy Act or technically: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Website Links to publicize your story for free.
Writing Your Letter
Dr. Randall Hansen's Guide to Writing Successful Media Releases>> Link: http://www.randallshansen.com/prguide.html
This site is all about providing the resources to help you write and strategically place better media/press releases. While this site is designed to help you write better media/press releases for the promotion of new Web sites, the expertise and tools provided here could be effective for any kind of promotional campaign.
Here are some experience-based suggestions that will help you get your letters published.>>Link: http://www.mediaradar.org/how_to_letter.php
Understand what issue you are responding to and be sure that your letter responds to it. Off the wall is off the wall!
Have something to say and think carefully about how you want to say it. This is the hardest part. Ask yourself: "What is it that I really want to say?" Try to make just one or two major points.
Edit your letter. Eliminate unnecessary words and look for ways to say it more powerfully. Editors count words. No matter what you submit, expect them to revise it. Try to pick a catchy title – but they usually will change that, too.
To newspapers, e-mail your letter – with a copy to yourself to keep track of it. Every newspaper will tell you (usually at the end of the letters section) where to send it.
However, to politicians, the most effective way is to write a formal letter. (See Below)
If possible, respond the same day the article/editorial appears. Much later and you will be too late for consideration.
Above all, write from the heart – that is, with passion for the issue – but keep the tone of your letter factual and reasonable.
Expect lots of rejections. But, remember that newspapers always are looking for good letters to choose from.
Most newspapers have a section from the Letters Editor telling you what they want and how they want it. For example, they often require you indicate your name, address, and telephone number. Read and follow!
Finally, read some of the letters that your chosen newspaper already has printed to get a feel for what they are willing to print.
GOOD LUCK!!!
· Free Writing & Publishing How-To (the “p” is not in the web address): http://www.suite101.com/writingandublishing
· The following website is to help with writing skills, especially in the area of citizen reporting & journalism. It helps with writing about public policy issues. http://www.helium.com/writers-resources/citizenjournalist?emailloc=km94v
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Giant eMail Links
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Give these TV & radio networks and entertainment companies your opinion about their reporting, programs, and sponsors--pro or con. Concerned citizens can make a difference. Include your street address and a request for a reply if you wish one. The links to the network e-mail web pages often give you a menu to select particular shows or management offices to which you can write.
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Where You Can Publish or Share Your Story
Read other stories by parents & their experiences with CPS. Write your story, as well, to help warn others and refer them to our eReference Books, the Group or other place you may think they can gain help. This is a hot spot where citizens warn each other of all sorts of financial, employment, and other rip-offs. It is taking the place of the Better Business Bureau. Do not use real names or use initials. http://www.ripoffreport.com
If you are able to make a video clip and upload it, then YouTube is good as it is highly-visible hot spot and popular. Media persons peruse YouTube video clips and many times include them on their TV newscasts. http://www.YouTube.com
More and more, connections with children placed in the system and their lost foster parents or biological parents are made here. Write your profile with a message to the kids being careful about privacy. You can post your picture in case the kids input your name and come to you My Space website. Posts can be made back and forth. http://www.MySpace.com
The following link is a portal to media contacts for the major newscasters which includes names, addresses, phone numbers and emails: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=111
Send Your Story to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)! Here’s the form on their website… http://www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm
Call this CPS Radio Talk Show & tell your story. This show outlines the destruction of American families and relationships through legislation and the courts. Your host and cohost is Ron Smithand Rockin and Robin Denison. Hosted by: ChildrenNeedBothParents. (724) 444-7444 Call ID: 53118. http://www.talkshoe .com/tc/53118
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Create an Anonymous eMail
It is a good idea to set up a couple of emails that contain anonymous information for your privacy. These emails can be used when creating blogs or signing up for groups. They are easy to set up if you have already picked out a city and a zip code that goes with it. Make up the street address. It is just an extra step in remaining anonymous while your case is still active. Social workers known as “moles” do monitor some sites for ideas in their cases and hopefully find “You” to see what is going on. Privacy in what you are doing in your case is imperative.
· http://www.mail.com
· http://www.lycos.com
· http://www.yahoomail.com
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Contact Your Legislator
Contact US Senators. You can go to this link and write an email directly to them or better yet write a formal letter. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Write your story to your US Congressman: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Article on: Contacting Your State Legislator For Help
Originally Posted: 16 Sep 2007 12:06 PM CDT
If your CPS social workers are lying, violating court orders, or just being unreasonable, you might get some relief from their tyranny by contacting your state legislator. I’ve done this many times when dealing with unscrupulous agencies, and each time had a pleasant resolution to my situation.
Let’s go back to how I discovered how effective this could be. Back in the 80’s I was a welfare eligibility worker for the Department of Social Services. Occasionally unhappy clients would contact their legislators, and whenever that happened we’d see the supervisor scrambling to get the case file to take it into the program manager’s office. We knew that these people hated to have anyone call their legislators because then the head of the entire Department of Social Services would get a call from Sacramento where our State Department of Social Services is. In other words, a lot of pressure was applied from the top management because they didn’t like getting these calls! What was even more frustrating to the supervisor was that every time there was a call to a legislator, the client got what she wanted.
A few years back a local Department of Social Services caseworker was harassing me after learning about this site. He came out here four or five times with totally facetious or trivial complaints, such as the accusation that I was home schooling - something that is legal in all fifty states. After the last time, I decided to take action before he got the bright idea of detaining my children on the basis of the number of complaints he’d either manufactured or followed up on. What I did was to write a letter to this caseworker detailing each of his visits to my family, telling what his reasons were each time and what my response was. I sent him a copy of the letter, and sent a copy to his Program Manager, my county supervisor, a few legislators, and a few newspapers. Maybe a few other people, but I honestly don’t remember who at this point. There was a list of these people at the bottom of the letter, so he knew who was getting it. The state legislator wrote to me telling me he had contacted the head of the Department of Social Services for California. Talk about applying pressure from the top! Then the pressure no doubt reached the local office and I didn’t hear from the guy again for years.
I’ve done similar things regarding other agencies. My experiences with writing to state legislators for help have all been good, and so I’m telling you about it in case anyone wants to try it. If you do, here’s some pointers.
Write the legislator a formal letter. Handwriting is OK - it looks authentic. Second best is a typed letter. Worst, and probably useless, is email. I’ve heard that legislators in Washington DC have to delete a lot of email unread because they have no way of processing it. I don’t know if a state legislator would do that, but I wouldn’t trust email. In this case, paper is better.
Be sure you use proper spelling and grammar. I know that’s a problem for many people who use this site, but if you know you have a problem then you can ask the local high school English teacher or some other expert for help making the letter look good.
Tell the legislator in the first line that you are his constituent. And by the way, you should be sure you’re writing only to legislators that preside over your section of the state. As a constituent you are a person who can vote or not vote for him next time he runs for office.
Keep it short! One page is sufficient. Three paragraphs, better. When I wrote the letter I mentioned above, I sent the entire three page letter I’d sent to the social worker, but the cover letter to the legislator was only three very short paragraphs. The letter will probably be read by a staff member who doesn’t have a lot of time to wade through many pages of case information. They want to know your specific complaint and needs, and will be able to process it and act on it quickly. It wouldn’t hurt to attach any evidence you may have on hand.
You will probably get a letter back from the legislator’s office telling you whether or not they took action on your complaint. They are there to watch out for their constituents, so in most cases they’ll try to do something to help. They need to know when the laws they make aren’t being followed properly. They can’t change a court order, but if a CPS social worker is violating a court order or in any way breaking social service regulations, they can probably do something to create change. After getting your letter, you might want to write back and thank them for helping.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presenedt by:
Monday, August 23, 2010
Kyron Horman grand jury meets again
Kyron Horman grand jury meets again
by Frank Mungeam and Colin Miner, KGW.com Staff
Posted on August 23, 2010 at 3:49 PM
Updated today at 3:57 PM
Related:
Complete Coverage: Search for Kyron Horman
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sources tell KGW that the grand jury in the Kyron Horman case met Monday, interviewing representatives from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement officials.
Sources said the interviews would likely continue through Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.
Prosecutors have been seeking and obtaining subpoenas, and presenting witnesses to the grand jury for many weeks as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Kyron Horman, missing since June 4.
Grand jury proceedings are secret and a judge has barred media from filming witnesses going in or out of the courthouse, but sources tell KGW that Kyron's parents, friends of Terri Horman including DeDe Spicher, and Skyline Elementary school employees have all appeared before the grand jury.
http://www.kgw.com/home/Kyron-Horman-grand-jury-meets-again-101339004.html
by Frank Mungeam and Colin Miner, KGW.com Staff
Posted on August 23, 2010 at 3:49 PM
Updated today at 3:57 PM
Related:
Complete Coverage: Search for Kyron Horman
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sources tell KGW that the grand jury in the Kyron Horman case met Monday, interviewing representatives from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement officials.
Sources said the interviews would likely continue through Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.
Prosecutors have been seeking and obtaining subpoenas, and presenting witnesses to the grand jury for many weeks as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Kyron Horman, missing since June 4.
Grand jury proceedings are secret and a judge has barred media from filming witnesses going in or out of the courthouse, but sources tell KGW that Kyron's parents, friends of Terri Horman including DeDe Spicher, and Skyline Elementary school employees have all appeared before the grand jury.
http://www.kgw.com/home/Kyron-Horman-grand-jury-meets-again-101339004.html
NCSC-Adoption/Termination of Parental Rights Resource Guide
Adoption/Termination of Parental Rights
Resource Guide
OVERVIEW
RESOURCE GUIDE
FAQ
NCSC DOCUMENTS
STATE LINKS
Contact an expert
Thomas Clarke
Denise Dancy
Paul Embley
Gene Flango
Diana Graski
Mary Beth Kirven
Deborah Saunders
Brenda Uekert
Richard Van Duizend
Links to related online resources are listed below. Non-digitized publications may be borrowed from the NCSC Library; call numbers are provided.
Adoption Agencies and Organizations
Child Welfare League of America. (1). CWLA is the oldest and largest nonprofit association assisting abused and neglected children and their families.
Children`s Bureau. (1). The Children’s Bureau (CB) is the oldest federal agency for children and is located within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families. It is responsible for assisting states in the delivery of child welfare services to protect children and strengthen families. It also provides fact sheets and information on laws, policies, programs, and initiatives concerning adoptions.
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. (1). The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is one of the preeminent policy, research, and education organizations in its field. Its mission is to improve policies, practices, laws, and attitudes to benefit everyone touched by adoption, especially children. The Adoption Institute has long been a source of accurate, unbiased information for journalists, researchers, and professionals. The institute’s newsletter keeps up-to-date information on changes in the laws that affect adoptions. Back issues are available free online. Their site also has great links to data and statistics on adoption.
National Adoption Center. (1). Provides general information about adoptions and also features FACES, which provides bios and pictures on children in need of an adoptive family.
National Council for Adoption. (1). The NCFA provides general information on adoption, as well as some guidelines for approaching the decision to adopt and taking the first steps. They also provide contact information to adoption agencies and attorneys and an overview of the adoption process.
National Foster Care and Adoption Directory. (1). The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides a searchable database for information on adoption agencies, recruitment lines, state officials, support groups, and statewide services for all 50 states.
NCFA List of Adoption Agencies. (1). All adoption agencies listed on the NCFA Web page are official members of NCFA and have met certain criteria for membership. However, it is not an exhaustive list. NCFA also provides contact information for qualified attorneys who are official members of NCFA and have met certain membership requirements. There is also a list of various publications and literature to help further education on adoption. Some of the publications listed are produced directly by NCFA.
North American Council on Adoptable Children. (1). NACAC provides information on how to adopt, recruit adoptive families, and get support after adopting, as well as information on transracial parenting.
The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys . (1). The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association of attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law.
Adoption Law
Adoption Laws. (1). The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides information on laws governing the entire adoption process. It also provides state-specific information for each portion of the adoption process.
Golden, Olivia et al. Intentions and Results: A Look Back at the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Urban Institute (December 2009). The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) in partnership with the Urban Institute co-sponsored this series of papers to examine effects of the ASFA law and its implementation.
The National Center for Adoption Law and Policy at Capital University Law School. (1). The National Center for Adoption Law and Policy seeks to improve the law, policies, and practices associated with child protection and adoption systems. Their goal is that all children—especially those who have been abused or neglected or are dependent on the state for their care—have safe, healthy, permanent homes.
Kochanska, Ewa The nation`s first embryo adoption bill passed Georgia Senate. The Examiner: Atlanta, GA (April 2009). The Option of Adoption Act (HB388) is the first statute in the United States to provide a legal framework for the “adoption” of embryos by providing the option to obtain a court approval for the procedure as well as clarifying the rights of genetic donors and adoptive parents.
Information and Statistics on Adoption
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System . (1). The Children's Bureau provides access to recent data from AFCARS, which collects information on all children in foster care or adopted children for whom the state child welfare agency has responsibility.
Vandivere, Sharon, Karin Malm and Laura Radel Adoption USA: A Chartbook Based on the 2007 National Survey of Adoptive Parents . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2009). This report summarizes the first-ever survey to provide representative information about the characteristics, adoption experiences, and well-being of adopted children and their families in the United States.
California Child and Family Services. (1). Provides detailed information and statistics on adoptions in California.
Child Welfare Information Gateway Adoption Statistics. (1). These resources provide State, national, and international data and statistics on private, public foster care, and intercountry adoption. Research findings present trends and analyses in the field of adoption.
Child Welfare Information Gateway`s Filing Trends. www.childwelfare.gov (1). Factsheets focusing on statistical research
Macomber, Jennifer Ehrle et al. Foster Care Adoption in the United States: A State-by State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches. Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute (2004). This report summarizes information gathered from states' Child and Family Services Reviews and provides a national overview of the barriers and promising approaches to the adoption process.
Flango, Victor and Carol Flango How Many Children Were Adopted in 1992?. Child Welfare vol. 74 (1995). This article presents the most recent and most accurate information available on the total number of adoptions in the United States in 1992.
National Data Analysis System (NDAS). (1). The Child Welfare League of America's National Data Analysis System provides information on child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and fiscal and administrative data. Includes the number of children legally adopted through public agencies and the number waiting for adoption. Users should use guest as the name and password for access to the site.
New York State Citizens` Coalition for Children, Inc. (1). Provides detailed information on adoption, foster care, child advocacy, and children's rights.
Oregon Department of Human Services-Adoption. (1). Provides detailed information and statistics about adoption in Oregon.
Trends in Foster Care and Adoption FY2002-FY2007. AFCARS, U.S. Childrens Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families (September 2008). Graphically represented national estimates of foster care and adoption population characteristics.
Testa, Mark F. When Children Cannot Return Home: Adoption and Guardianship. Children, Families, and Foster Care 14, no. 1 (Winter 2004).
International Adoptions
Joint Council on International Children`s Services. (1). The council advocates on behalf of children in need of permanent families by promoting ethical practices in intercountry adoption.
U.S. Embassy in Guatemala Uses DNA Testing to Protect Its Adopted Children. U.S. Department of State (August 2007). To protect Guatemalan children from being put up for adoption by people other than their parents, the U.S. Department of State has implemented a DNA-testing program. The adults placing the children up for adoption will be tested see if their DNA matches that of the children.
U.S. State Department, Office of Children`s Issues--Intercountry Adoptions. (1). The process of adopting a foreign child and bringing that child into the United States involves several steps. Information regarding the process can be obtained directly from this site.
Safe Haven Laws
Alaska, Nebraska Become 49th and 50th States to Enact Safe Haven Laws. National Council For Adoption (NCFA) (February 2008). This NCFA media advisory on safe haven laws notes that Alaska and Nebraska are the 49th & 50th states to adopt safe haven laws.
Gov. Heineman Signs Safe Haven Update into Law. Communications Office of Governor Dave Heineman (November 2008). This updated version of Nebraska’s safe haven law sets an age limit of 30 days for legally surrendering a child.
Infant Abandonment. Guttmacher Institute (February 2010). This policy brief reviews safe haven laws in the fifty states and the District of Columbia.
Infant Safe Haven Laws. Child Welfare Information Gateway (July 2007). This site provides information on state statutes on safe haven laws as of July 2007. (Note several states have added or changed safe haven laws since that time).
Safe Haven Law. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (2008). This Nebraska DHSS site provides information on the original safe haven legislation which led to 36 children being surrendered to the department between September and November of 2008. A list of cases with the ages of the children (most of whom were over age 10 and 6 of whom were from other states) is provided.
The Child Welfare Leagues` Baby Abandonment Page. (1). This page provides information on baby abandonment, including state-specific information on legislation and a summary and monograph concerning baby abandonment and safe haven laws.
Special Needs Children Family Assistance
Military Families and Adoption: A Fact Sheet for Families. Fact Sheet, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Washington, D.C. (2003). Common questions about adoption of children by military personnel and their families are addressed in this fact sheet.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (1). Protecting children and families by fighting the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects.
National Resource Center for Special Needs Adoptions. (1). Produces a weekly newsletter, the Roundtable, that is available online.
Post-Legal Adoption Services for Children with Special Needs and Their Families : Challenges and Lessons Learned. Fact Sheet, Child Welfare Information Network, Washington, D.C. (2005).
Spaulding for Children. (1). A National Resource Center (NRC) for special needs adoption, Spaulding's NRC provides training, consultation, and information for professionals, organizations, and parents.
Termination of Parental Rights
Szymanski, Linda A. Jury Trial in Termination of Parental Rights Cases. National Center for Juvenile Justice (2008). This NCJJ Snapshot provides an overview of how states address the issue of jury trials in termination of parental rights cases.
National Project to Improve Representation for Parents Involved in the Child Welfare System. ABA Center on Children and the Law (1). This collaborative project provides resources and training to improve parent representation in child welfare cases.
Ellis, Raquel, Karin Malm, and Erin Biship The Timing of Terminations of Parental Rights: A Balancing Act for Children`s Best Interests. Child Trends (September 2009). A sample of 20 judges representing 18 different states participated in telephone interviews to explore their perspectives and experiences around termination of parental rights proceedings and the challeges faced when making decisions in these cases.
Table of Appeals of Termination of Parental Rights Cases. Virginia Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia (2010). This table provides a list of termination of parental rights cases appealed to the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia since January 1, 1996 that were decided by opinion. The editors of this document arranged the cases into fourteen categories based on their characterization of the legal and factual issues involved.
Child Welfare Handbook: Effect of Parental Rights Termination. New Mexico Judicial Education Center (2007). This Handbook provides guidelines and general explanations for the processes surrounding the termination of parental rights in New Mexico.
Termination of Parental Rights . Sacramento County Public Law Library (1). Library web page with information on Termination of Parental rights in California. Includes the following language: Termination of parental rights IS NOT granted by the courts on request or by mutual agreement of the parents as a means of solving visitation or support disputes.
Maryland CINA, related TPR and Adoption Matters. Best Practices Manual. Foster Care Improvement Project (January 2007). This document provides standards for child welfare hearings for the Maryland courts.
Termination of Parental Rights. Child Welfare Information Gateway, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (1). This website provides guidelines with commentary for the termination of parental rights.
NCSC Library Material
Adoption and Permanency Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases. Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2000). This guidebook sets forth the essential elements of best practices that lead to a permanent home for children who cannot be reunified with their families. The guidelines describe each step between the point at which the court determines reunification is not an option and the point at which the juvenile and family court is no longer involved in the case because the child has achieved permanence in a new home. Topics include permanency planning, the permanency hearing, termination of parental rights, and the appeals process. (KF9323 .A93)
Marshner, Connaught and William L. Pierce. Adoption Factbook III. Waite Park, MN: Park Press Quality Printing, Inc. (1999). This book is a comprehensive study of adoption, including national and state statistics. (HV875 .A3 1999)
Boyd, Diana. Court Improvement Progress Reports. Washington, DC: Center on Children and the Law, American Bar Association (1). These reports describe the current progress of the federally funded state Court Improvement Projects. These projects were created to improve the state courts' handling of child abuse and neglect cases. The reports describe the current court reform issues on which the courts are working, their strategies in approaching these issues, and the extent of their current progress. (KF9323 .R38). These reports are available for purchase through the American Bar Association.
Evidentiary Issues in Termination of Parental Rights [CD-ROM]: An Interactive Simulated Trial. Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2002).
The CD presents a simulated trial "In the matter of the termination of the parent-child relationship between a child and a set of parents." The viewer can rule on the admissibility of evidence and related procedural issues while receiving feedback on the statutory and case authority. (KF547.E93)
Duquette, Donald N. Guidelines for Public Policy and State Legislation Governing Permanence for Children. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children`s Bureau (1999). The guidelines were developed as one of several steps taken by the federal government in response to Adoption 2002, President Clinton's Initiative on Adoption and Foster Care. The guidelines are intended to assist the states as they focus on critical issues affecting child welfare practice and the courts. (KF545 .D87)
Johns, Krista R. Judge`s Guidebook on Adoption and Other Permanent Homes for Children. Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (1999). This guidebook provides operating principles that can be used in any community to create sound practices in child abuse and neglect cases. The guidebook also discusses implications for state social service agencies, juvenile courts, and courts of appeals of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. (KF545 .J64)
Minnesota Supreme Court Foster Care and Adoption Task Force: Final Report. St. Paul: Minnesota Supreme Court, State Court Administration, Office of Research and Planning (1997). This report contains more than 30 recommendations from the task force, including such topics as the Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal courts, open adoptions, the Minnesota Heritage Act, and termination of parental rights. (KFM5494.5 .M55)
Gay, Donna L. Report of the Arkansas Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Foster Care and Adoption Assessment with Findings and Recommendations. Little Rock, AK: Administrative Office of the Courts (1997). This report highlights the findings of the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Ad Hoc Committee regarding court improvement in foster care and adoption cases. The report provides information about the committee's assessment process, results of the assessment, recommendations for overall improvement, and the future implementation of the recommendations. (KFA3704.6 .G39)
http://www.ncsc.org/topics/children-families-and-elders/adoption-termination-of-parental-rights/resource-guide.aspx
Resource Guide
OVERVIEW
RESOURCE GUIDE
FAQ
NCSC DOCUMENTS
STATE LINKS
Contact an expert
Thomas Clarke
Denise Dancy
Paul Embley
Gene Flango
Diana Graski
Mary Beth Kirven
Deborah Saunders
Brenda Uekert
Richard Van Duizend
Links to related online resources are listed below. Non-digitized publications may be borrowed from the NCSC Library; call numbers are provided.
Adoption Agencies and Organizations
Child Welfare League of America. (1). CWLA is the oldest and largest nonprofit association assisting abused and neglected children and their families.
Children`s Bureau. (1). The Children’s Bureau (CB) is the oldest federal agency for children and is located within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families. It is responsible for assisting states in the delivery of child welfare services to protect children and strengthen families. It also provides fact sheets and information on laws, policies, programs, and initiatives concerning adoptions.
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. (1). The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is one of the preeminent policy, research, and education organizations in its field. Its mission is to improve policies, practices, laws, and attitudes to benefit everyone touched by adoption, especially children. The Adoption Institute has long been a source of accurate, unbiased information for journalists, researchers, and professionals. The institute’s newsletter keeps up-to-date information on changes in the laws that affect adoptions. Back issues are available free online. Their site also has great links to data and statistics on adoption.
National Adoption Center. (1). Provides general information about adoptions and also features FACES, which provides bios and pictures on children in need of an adoptive family.
National Council for Adoption. (1). The NCFA provides general information on adoption, as well as some guidelines for approaching the decision to adopt and taking the first steps. They also provide contact information to adoption agencies and attorneys and an overview of the adoption process.
National Foster Care and Adoption Directory. (1). The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides a searchable database for information on adoption agencies, recruitment lines, state officials, support groups, and statewide services for all 50 states.
NCFA List of Adoption Agencies. (1). All adoption agencies listed on the NCFA Web page are official members of NCFA and have met certain criteria for membership. However, it is not an exhaustive list. NCFA also provides contact information for qualified attorneys who are official members of NCFA and have met certain membership requirements. There is also a list of various publications and literature to help further education on adoption. Some of the publications listed are produced directly by NCFA.
North American Council on Adoptable Children. (1). NACAC provides information on how to adopt, recruit adoptive families, and get support after adopting, as well as information on transracial parenting.
The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys . (1). The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association of attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law.
Adoption Law
Adoption Laws. (1). The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides information on laws governing the entire adoption process. It also provides state-specific information for each portion of the adoption process.
Golden, Olivia et al. Intentions and Results: A Look Back at the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Urban Institute (December 2009). The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) in partnership with the Urban Institute co-sponsored this series of papers to examine effects of the ASFA law and its implementation.
The National Center for Adoption Law and Policy at Capital University Law School. (1). The National Center for Adoption Law and Policy seeks to improve the law, policies, and practices associated with child protection and adoption systems. Their goal is that all children—especially those who have been abused or neglected or are dependent on the state for their care—have safe, healthy, permanent homes.
Kochanska, Ewa The nation`s first embryo adoption bill passed Georgia Senate. The Examiner: Atlanta, GA (April 2009). The Option of Adoption Act (HB388) is the first statute in the United States to provide a legal framework for the “adoption” of embryos by providing the option to obtain a court approval for the procedure as well as clarifying the rights of genetic donors and adoptive parents.
Information and Statistics on Adoption
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System . (1). The Children's Bureau provides access to recent data from AFCARS, which collects information on all children in foster care or adopted children for whom the state child welfare agency has responsibility.
Vandivere, Sharon, Karin Malm and Laura Radel Adoption USA: A Chartbook Based on the 2007 National Survey of Adoptive Parents . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2009). This report summarizes the first-ever survey to provide representative information about the characteristics, adoption experiences, and well-being of adopted children and their families in the United States.
California Child and Family Services. (1). Provides detailed information and statistics on adoptions in California.
Child Welfare Information Gateway Adoption Statistics. (1). These resources provide State, national, and international data and statistics on private, public foster care, and intercountry adoption. Research findings present trends and analyses in the field of adoption.
Child Welfare Information Gateway`s Filing Trends. www.childwelfare.gov (1). Factsheets focusing on statistical research
Macomber, Jennifer Ehrle et al. Foster Care Adoption in the United States: A State-by State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches. Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute (2004). This report summarizes information gathered from states' Child and Family Services Reviews and provides a national overview of the barriers and promising approaches to the adoption process.
Flango, Victor and Carol Flango How Many Children Were Adopted in 1992?. Child Welfare vol. 74 (1995). This article presents the most recent and most accurate information available on the total number of adoptions in the United States in 1992.
National Data Analysis System (NDAS). (1). The Child Welfare League of America's National Data Analysis System provides information on child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and fiscal and administrative data. Includes the number of children legally adopted through public agencies and the number waiting for adoption. Users should use guest as the name and password for access to the site.
New York State Citizens` Coalition for Children, Inc. (1). Provides detailed information on adoption, foster care, child advocacy, and children's rights.
Oregon Department of Human Services-Adoption. (1). Provides detailed information and statistics about adoption in Oregon.
Trends in Foster Care and Adoption FY2002-FY2007. AFCARS, U.S. Childrens Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families (September 2008). Graphically represented national estimates of foster care and adoption population characteristics.
Testa, Mark F. When Children Cannot Return Home: Adoption and Guardianship. Children, Families, and Foster Care 14, no. 1 (Winter 2004).
International Adoptions
Joint Council on International Children`s Services. (1). The council advocates on behalf of children in need of permanent families by promoting ethical practices in intercountry adoption.
U.S. Embassy in Guatemala Uses DNA Testing to Protect Its Adopted Children. U.S. Department of State (August 2007). To protect Guatemalan children from being put up for adoption by people other than their parents, the U.S. Department of State has implemented a DNA-testing program. The adults placing the children up for adoption will be tested see if their DNA matches that of the children.
U.S. State Department, Office of Children`s Issues--Intercountry Adoptions. (1). The process of adopting a foreign child and bringing that child into the United States involves several steps. Information regarding the process can be obtained directly from this site.
Safe Haven Laws
Alaska, Nebraska Become 49th and 50th States to Enact Safe Haven Laws. National Council For Adoption (NCFA) (February 2008). This NCFA media advisory on safe haven laws notes that Alaska and Nebraska are the 49th & 50th states to adopt safe haven laws.
Gov. Heineman Signs Safe Haven Update into Law. Communications Office of Governor Dave Heineman (November 2008). This updated version of Nebraska’s safe haven law sets an age limit of 30 days for legally surrendering a child.
Infant Abandonment. Guttmacher Institute (February 2010). This policy brief reviews safe haven laws in the fifty states and the District of Columbia.
Infant Safe Haven Laws. Child Welfare Information Gateway (July 2007). This site provides information on state statutes on safe haven laws as of July 2007. (Note several states have added or changed safe haven laws since that time).
Safe Haven Law. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (2008). This Nebraska DHSS site provides information on the original safe haven legislation which led to 36 children being surrendered to the department between September and November of 2008. A list of cases with the ages of the children (most of whom were over age 10 and 6 of whom were from other states) is provided.
The Child Welfare Leagues` Baby Abandonment Page. (1). This page provides information on baby abandonment, including state-specific information on legislation and a summary and monograph concerning baby abandonment and safe haven laws.
Special Needs Children Family Assistance
Military Families and Adoption: A Fact Sheet for Families. Fact Sheet, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Washington, D.C. (2003). Common questions about adoption of children by military personnel and their families are addressed in this fact sheet.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (1). Protecting children and families by fighting the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects.
National Resource Center for Special Needs Adoptions. (1). Produces a weekly newsletter, the Roundtable, that is available online.
Post-Legal Adoption Services for Children with Special Needs and Their Families : Challenges and Lessons Learned. Fact Sheet, Child Welfare Information Network, Washington, D.C. (2005).
Spaulding for Children. (1). A National Resource Center (NRC) for special needs adoption, Spaulding's NRC provides training, consultation, and information for professionals, organizations, and parents.
Termination of Parental Rights
Szymanski, Linda A. Jury Trial in Termination of Parental Rights Cases. National Center for Juvenile Justice (2008). This NCJJ Snapshot provides an overview of how states address the issue of jury trials in termination of parental rights cases.
National Project to Improve Representation for Parents Involved in the Child Welfare System. ABA Center on Children and the Law (1). This collaborative project provides resources and training to improve parent representation in child welfare cases.
Ellis, Raquel, Karin Malm, and Erin Biship The Timing of Terminations of Parental Rights: A Balancing Act for Children`s Best Interests. Child Trends (September 2009). A sample of 20 judges representing 18 different states participated in telephone interviews to explore their perspectives and experiences around termination of parental rights proceedings and the challeges faced when making decisions in these cases.
Table of Appeals of Termination of Parental Rights Cases. Virginia Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia (2010). This table provides a list of termination of parental rights cases appealed to the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia since January 1, 1996 that were decided by opinion. The editors of this document arranged the cases into fourteen categories based on their characterization of the legal and factual issues involved.
Child Welfare Handbook: Effect of Parental Rights Termination. New Mexico Judicial Education Center (2007). This Handbook provides guidelines and general explanations for the processes surrounding the termination of parental rights in New Mexico.
Termination of Parental Rights . Sacramento County Public Law Library (1). Library web page with information on Termination of Parental rights in California. Includes the following language: Termination of parental rights IS NOT granted by the courts on request or by mutual agreement of the parents as a means of solving visitation or support disputes.
Maryland CINA, related TPR and Adoption Matters. Best Practices Manual. Foster Care Improvement Project (January 2007). This document provides standards for child welfare hearings for the Maryland courts.
Termination of Parental Rights. Child Welfare Information Gateway, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (1). This website provides guidelines with commentary for the termination of parental rights.
NCSC Library Material
Adoption and Permanency Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases. Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2000). This guidebook sets forth the essential elements of best practices that lead to a permanent home for children who cannot be reunified with their families. The guidelines describe each step between the point at which the court determines reunification is not an option and the point at which the juvenile and family court is no longer involved in the case because the child has achieved permanence in a new home. Topics include permanency planning, the permanency hearing, termination of parental rights, and the appeals process. (KF9323 .A93)
Marshner, Connaught and William L. Pierce. Adoption Factbook III. Waite Park, MN: Park Press Quality Printing, Inc. (1999). This book is a comprehensive study of adoption, including national and state statistics. (HV875 .A3 1999)
Boyd, Diana. Court Improvement Progress Reports. Washington, DC: Center on Children and the Law, American Bar Association (1). These reports describe the current progress of the federally funded state Court Improvement Projects. These projects were created to improve the state courts' handling of child abuse and neglect cases. The reports describe the current court reform issues on which the courts are working, their strategies in approaching these issues, and the extent of their current progress. (KF9323 .R38). These reports are available for purchase through the American Bar Association.
Evidentiary Issues in Termination of Parental Rights [CD-ROM]: An Interactive Simulated Trial. Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2002).
The CD presents a simulated trial "In the matter of the termination of the parent-child relationship between a child and a set of parents." The viewer can rule on the admissibility of evidence and related procedural issues while receiving feedback on the statutory and case authority. (KF547.E93)
Duquette, Donald N. Guidelines for Public Policy and State Legislation Governing Permanence for Children. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children`s Bureau (1999). The guidelines were developed as one of several steps taken by the federal government in response to Adoption 2002, President Clinton's Initiative on Adoption and Foster Care. The guidelines are intended to assist the states as they focus on critical issues affecting child welfare practice and the courts. (KF545 .D87)
Johns, Krista R. Judge`s Guidebook on Adoption and Other Permanent Homes for Children. Reno, NV: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (1999). This guidebook provides operating principles that can be used in any community to create sound practices in child abuse and neglect cases. The guidebook also discusses implications for state social service agencies, juvenile courts, and courts of appeals of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. (KF545 .J64)
Minnesota Supreme Court Foster Care and Adoption Task Force: Final Report. St. Paul: Minnesota Supreme Court, State Court Administration, Office of Research and Planning (1997). This report contains more than 30 recommendations from the task force, including such topics as the Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal courts, open adoptions, the Minnesota Heritage Act, and termination of parental rights. (KFM5494.5 .M55)
Gay, Donna L. Report of the Arkansas Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Foster Care and Adoption Assessment with Findings and Recommendations. Little Rock, AK: Administrative Office of the Courts (1997). This report highlights the findings of the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Ad Hoc Committee regarding court improvement in foster care and adoption cases. The report provides information about the committee's assessment process, results of the assessment, recommendations for overall improvement, and the future implementation of the recommendations. (KFA3704.6 .G39)
http://www.ncsc.org/topics/children-families-and-elders/adoption-termination-of-parental-rights/resource-guide.aspx
The legacy of forced adoptions
The legacy of forced adoptions
German families torn apart by forced adoptions during the cold war are still looking for answers – and their lost relatives
Marten Rolff
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 22 August 2010 20.30 BST
Article history
Katrin Behr was separated from her mother as a child. Photograph: Christian Jungeblodt for the Guardian
It took exactly four minutes to steal Andreas Laake's baby son – that was the length of the court hearing that swept away his paternity rights. Some 26 years later Laake can still recall every detail of the trial: his aching wrists cuffed behind his back; the musty smell of the courtroom; the steely voice of the young female judge. Then there were the vague words of the social worker who said that after his attempted escape from the German Democratic Republic: "we do not believe Mr Laake has the ability to bring up his son for the purpose of socialism".
Read the entire article at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/22/germany-cold-war-forced-adoptions
German families torn apart by forced adoptions during the cold war are still looking for answers – and their lost relatives
Marten Rolff
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 22 August 2010 20.30 BST
Article history
Katrin Behr was separated from her mother as a child. Photograph: Christian Jungeblodt for the Guardian
It took exactly four minutes to steal Andreas Laake's baby son – that was the length of the court hearing that swept away his paternity rights. Some 26 years later Laake can still recall every detail of the trial: his aching wrists cuffed behind his back; the musty smell of the courtroom; the steely voice of the young female judge. Then there were the vague words of the social worker who said that after his attempted escape from the German Democratic Republic: "we do not believe Mr Laake has the ability to bring up his son for the purpose of socialism".
Read the entire article at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/22/germany-cold-war-forced-adoptions
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